California Senate passes bill declaring conversion therapy a “fraudulent practice”
Medical and mental health professionals say the therapy poses risks to health and psychological well-being, even for adults
The California State Senate has passed a bill declaring conversion therapy a “fraudulent practice,” effectively banning it by making it possible to bring legal action against those who engage in the practice for profit.
By declaring conversion therapy a fraudulent practice under the state’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, the bill adds protections for adult consumers who have been duped paying for conversion therapy, or harmed by being subjected to it, to potentially pursue legal action or recoup their investment.
The Senate added several amendments to Assembly Bill 2943 to clarify that it is unlawful to advertise or sell services that constitute conversion therapy for profit, and to clarify that the bill does not ban psychotherapies that are sexual orientation-neutral that seek to curb unsafe or illegal sexual practices or seek to promote healthy sexual and romantic relationships.
The amended bill passed the Senate 25-11, and now heads back to the Assembly for a concurrence vote. The original Assembly version was passed by a vote of 50-18, and, given that the amendments were “friendly,” are likely to be accepted and approved by a majority of the Assembly.
“We as legislators have a responsibility to protect Californians from harmful and deceptive practices,” Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Cupertino), the chief sponsor of the bill, said in a statement. “All Californians should be celebrated, cherished, and loved for who they are. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate for affirming their support for those in the LGBT community who need it most by voting for this bill.”
In 2012, California passed a law banning the practice of conversion therapy on minors. The law warned medical or mental health providers who provide such services that they could risk the loss of their license if they subject minors to the therapy in violation of the law.
But since that law passed, some LGBTQ advocates have raised questions about a lack of protections for adults who are struggling with their sexuality, and might be targeted by providers who claim they can successfully alter a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Several mental health, medical, and counseling organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the National Association of Social Workers, oppose conversion therapy on the grounds that it is not based in science and can potentially harm an individual’s mental health.
A 2009 report by an American Psychological Association task force found that conversion therapy “poses critical health risks” and contributes to anti-LGBTQ stigma by characterizing homosexuality or transgenderism as diseases. As such, the association advises mental health professionals to avoid telling patients that they can change their sexual orientation.
Other studies have shown that conversion therapy can decrease people’s self-esteem, and can lead to depression, self-harm, or suicidal ideation.
“For far too long, LGBTQ Californians have been psychologically abused by sham therapists who are supposed to be caring for their emotional well-being,” Rick Zbur, the executive director of Equality California, said in a statement. “We’re deeply grateful to Assemblymember Low, Senate Pro Tem Atkins and Senators Wiener, Lara and Galgiani for their leadership today — and to every member of the Senate who voted to protect LGBTQ Californians from these dangerous, harmful practices.”
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